Machine and method for use in shoemaking



Aug 16, 1932- R. c. SIMMONS MACHINE AND METHOD FOR USE IN SHOEMAKING Filed March 31, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 16, 1932. R. c. SIMMONS MACHINE AND METHOD FOR USE IN SHOEMAKING v3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 51. 1927 Aug. 16, 1932.

R. C. SIMMONS MACHINE AND METHOD FOR USE IN SHOEMAKING Filed March 31. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Aug. 16, 1932 srrarss PATENT oer-ice I;

C; SIMMONS, 0F BEVER IIY, MASSAGHUSET'ES, ASSI GNQR' TQ UNITED S'HQE'MQA- V GHENERY CORPORATION, 03 PATERSON, NEW JERSEY; A CORPORATION OF JERSEY MACHINE A D METHO'DFOR USE msnonlvmxm'e Application filed lama a, 1927. Serial No. 179,974,

My invention relates to improvements in.

machines and methods utilized in shoemaking. It especially concerns operations, in which one or more shoe-portions: are to-he carried into definite relation to operatingmechanism. and there held to receive its ac tion, their breasting -furnish examples of. Work of this character. Considering the former ope eration, good shoemaking requires that, when a heel is attached to the upper, the breastline or line connecting the corners of the breast, be substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the shoe b0ttom; and; to provide for the proper insertionot the attaching nails, both the shoe-upper andiheelimust be definitely located withrespect'to thenailing mechanism. is to provide for thus fixing the relation of shoe-portions to each other andto elementsabl member or positioning. meansmayrhe caused to impart to the shoe-portionva movement oftranslation, lnthis Way, there may; be appl ed automatically to the Work BCIEOIIGGQ causing at least a part, of itstravehtothe, point at which it receives the final positioning action. Preferably, a plurality of-position-- ing members, as driven rolls rotating qppo sit-ely at equal peripheral speeds, are: em; ployed. As long as the portion actednpon is out of position, these members; tend; to move in opposite; directions by their trie tional engagement. l/Vhen-the vvork has :been broughtto the desired relatiomthe forces ere. erred balance 1 and the movement; ceases the members slipping on the engaged surfaceas The attachment of heels-to shoes and- An object of the invention they hold saidgvrorkagainst astop; Inthe illustrated embodiment of theinventionina; heel-attaching machine, a shQ61is-rotatBd about the longitudinal: axis of: its .j ackon sup; 1 portend a: heel; Which may have the support of a-ldie-block,-is turnedgabout anaxis-perpenv-v dicular toi'ts tread-surface By thesemova men-ts,-cthe shoe and heel are-correctly posi-. tionediW-ith respectzt-o thenaihinserting mechanism and to each other. The particular ap? iaratns herein illustrated includes rolls ar ranged in plural; pairs associated: withbothi the jack and the die-blockoif'arlieelingma chine. Ill-,Qflgh case, each pair-includeswp; posite rolls; compelled; to i move together, as; up on connectedlevers, While the rolls ofz dif.-. ferent' pairs are arranged for independent" movement; f'opermitz the movable j'ackto be located; freely with reference-to and :by; the positioning mechanism, it-may; be; pivotally mounted: and: provided with. a; look, Whichholds-it for the applicationotthe clam-ping pressure, but; which is .relased during theaction or said positioning mechanism;

Further, in attaining the. obj ech of? this in; vention, there is involved a: method off'positioning ashoe-portion which, consists in-lo-.. eating: upon itsv points symmetrical: with 1'6, spect' to an axisof: the portion, which axis; maybe that extending longitudinally of 'the shoe, and then applyingroppositez ande'sub.-.; stanti ally 1 squall positioning forces, preferai-i bly inpl'ural pairs, tending to turn-the portion until they actat: the. selectedi points. These forces exert; their effect uponthe shoeportion to i change its angle with relation to the axis until, at the positionasoughtg abale: ance 'isiobtained and the Work comesto rest: In. the: attachment of heels, this; method ape pliesrto both the locating ofrthe upper which a.

is to receivetheheel and saidheelitself, and

this lisequally trueofthe apparatus above-re V 5 the line IIIIII of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4-, a side elevation of the machine as illustrated in Fig. 1, but including the mounting for the jack and the actuating means for the die-block and-drivers;

"Fig. 5, a vertical sectional detail on the line VV of Fig. 2 through the fulcrum of the roll-carrying levers at one side of the apparatus;

Fig. 6, a vertical sectional detail of the mounting and lock for the jack; and

Fig. 7 being a detail in perspective of the locking mechanism.

At 10 appears a portion of the frame of a heel-attaching machine, upon which is movably mounted a j ack-post 12, which supports a shoe-upper, appearing at S,'for the clamping against it of a heel H by a vertically movable die-block 14, which supports said heel. After this clamping pressure has been applied the attachment of the heel is effected by the insertion of nails by drivers 16 reciprocating in passages in the die-block. The clamping and driving movements may be effected in correct time-relation by toggle or other mechanism, as indicated at 18 and 20. This actuating means may be, for example, as shown in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,157,688, Glidden, October 26, 1915.

Considering first the location of the jacked shoe by mechanism shown at A, there is fulcrumed upon the frame, at each of opposite sides of the path of movement of the jack, a pair of bell-crank levers 22, 22. the main portions of which extend forwardly and are approximately parallel, while arms 24, 24 are joined by gear-segments 26, compelling the levers 22 to swing together. These levers turn about sleeves 28 (Fig. 5) surrounding shafts 30 and 32. J ournaled at the forward extremities of the levers 22 are short vertical shafts, having fast upon them rolls 34, which are of equal'diameter. The rolls are rotated in opposite directions, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2, at substantially equal peripheral speeds through power applied to the shaft 30 from a source not illustrated. One of the rolls is joined to this shaft through a train of spur-gearing 36, while the other is connected by a similar train 36 to the shaft 32, which, in turn, receives: motion from the shaft 30 by way of spur-gearing 38 and sprocket-gearing 40. The rolls 34 are formed at their peripheries to best engage a selected horizontal zone upon the counter-portion of a shoe. As here shown, this is at the randcrease, there being a projecting edge 42 adapted to enter the crease. The contact of the rolls may, however, be'above the crease. The rolls are held normally toward each other to yield upon the entrance of the work between them by a tension-spring 44 connecting the levers 22. The extent to which the rolls can approach each other is adjustably determined by a rod 46 extending from an arm 48 projecting rearwardly from one of the levers, said rod passing through an opening in an arm 48 of the companion lever and having a nut 50 upon its threaded end.

About the hubs of the levers 22 is fulcrumed another pair of levers 52, 52, connected to turn together through arms 54 and gear-segments 56. Upon longitudinally adjustable end sections 58 of the levers 54 are carried the shafts of rolls 60 corresponding in form to the rolls 34, and with their workengaging portions in the same horizontal plane. These rolls 60 have imparted to them rotation similar in speed and direction to the rolls 34 through sprocket-gearing 62 from the shafts 30 and 32, respectively. Adjustment of the end sections 58 upon the levers 52 allows the chains of gearing 62 to be tightened. The rolls 60 are urged toward each other by springs 61, 61 surrounding a rod 63 supported by a portion of the frame 10 and extending through openings in arms 65 of the levers 52. Nuts 67, threaded upon the outer ends of the rod, serve to vary the normal positions of the levers, and therefore the space between the rolls 34, prior to the entrance of a shoe.

The jack-post 12, with which this shoepositioning mechanism co-operates, is provided at its lower extremity with a pin 64 to enter the hole in the cone of a last. At its upper end, the post is pivotally united at 66 (Figs. 4 and 6) to a slide 68 movable vertically through a mounting member 70. This member is pivoted in a plane at right angles to that in which the post moves upon the slide, it having trunnions 72, 72 turning in brackets secured to the frame and overhanging the die-block. The jacked shoe may therefore be swung about the pivot 66 laterally of the die-block to locate the work with respect to the nail-holding openings therein, while upon the trunnions 7 2 the jack may be carried from its work-receiving to the operating position and the reverse. The slide 68 may be shifted longitudinally in its mounting by the operator or under the influence of the positioning mechanism, but has associated with it a looking device, which will normally fix it to receive the pressure to be applied by the rise of the die-block to clamp a heel against the jacked shoe for nailing. To furnish this lock, the slide is toothed at 74, each depression of the series of teeth having its lower side hori zontal. Slidable in the mounting 7 O, for engagement with these teeth, is a series of detent-plates '76, having pointed ends for engagement with the teeth onthe slide to hold the jack against upward movement. There is such a difference in the vertical width of the depressions and of the detents that some one h l't ig g of he detents, l m t ng th r r d mo ment and acting in their withdrawal. A pr ng .2 er e to force n rdly t e P a 80, and thus carry the whole series of detents toward the teeth of the slide. This spring is show-n as surrounding a spindle 8d projecting from the plate 80 and extending through an axial opening in one of the trunnions 72. Upon the outer extremity of the trunnion is fulcrumed a lever 86, having a divided portion or yoke surrounding the spindle. Opposite studs 88, 88,, carried by the lever, enter a groove in the spindle. Pivoted upon the free end of the lever is an actuating member 90 capable of movement about its pivotal point only in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 7 against the-resistance of a leaf-spring 91, which is secured to the outer face of the lever and bears upon a flat end of the actuating member. To the 'framebracket in which the trunnions 72 turn is secured a contact member 92 adjustable by screw-and-slot connections 9%. Upon movement of the jack When the work is swung out after the heeling operation, the actuating member 90 turns idly upon its pivot against the force of the spring 91 as it passes the contact member 92. After another shoe has been placed upon the jack and this is carried toward the nail-inserting position, inclined surfaces 96, 96 upon the members 90 and 92 come into engagement. Since the member 90 is now unable to turn on its pivot under the influence of the resistance opposed by the member 92, these inclined surfaces cam out the member 9.0, and with it the lever 86. The latter draws out the spindle 84,

the plate and detents 7 6, thus freeing the slide .68 from its lock. Consequently, just as the shoe should have a capacity for movement vertically by the operator to correctly aline the zone on the countersportion which the rolls 34 and 60 are to engage and for movement by the rolls themselves, the j ackis left free to rise. Immediately after this, however, when the jack-post attains its vertical relation and the shoe is ready for the attachment of its heel, the actuating member passes the end of the contact member 92, so that the spring 82 restores the lever and the detents to the normal locking position.

In certain types of shoes, for both rights and lefts and through a range of sizes, there are upon the countenportion of the upper, near the rand-crease, pairs of opposite points, which are symmetrically located at equal distances from the longitudinal axis .of the shoebottom. These points, of which there may he a series o p i y g one c ssuht nt a ly a le to he' a l nd at di ferent distances from the extremities of an shoe, are herein particularly indicated upon the rounded rear portion at a, a (Fig. 2) and forward of these at b, 6, near the line at which the heelebreast is to lie. If an upper is so forced in between the rolls 34 and 66, and their peripheries contact with the specified points, the rotation of these oppositerolls of. equal diameter and moving at the same peripheral speed will exert upon the work equal and opposite turning forces, which will bah ance, But, if the shoe is rotated from this position upon the pin 64 about the lohgitudinal axis of the jack, which axis is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the heelseat, an unbalance results. This is because the rolls at one side are at a greater or less distance from the centereline of the shoe-bottom than are their companions, thus apply; ing difi'erent turning forces. This acts to change the angle of the work until the points of'symmetry reach the rolls, when the movement ceases. Q a

In accordance with this invention, a shoeupper may be carried to thecorrect operating position in the following manner: Assuming the jack-post 12 to be swung out upon the trunnions 72, a lastedshoe'S is placed upon the pin 64L of the jack, and the latter is turned down toward the die-block 14 and the positioning mechanism A. At this time, as the worl; approaches the outer rolls 60, 60, the actuating member 90 comes into'engagement with the fixed member 92, drawing the detents 76 away, from the jaclcslide and releasing this. The jacked shoe is thus left free to be raised the operator and by the mechanism A, so that first the peripheries of the rolls 60 andthen of the rolls 34 may engage the randrcrease or other chosen surface. The pivotal connection 66 of the jack-post gas to the slide allows the work to move laterally to adapt itself to the rolls. The operator then presses the rear of the counter-portion of the shoe between the rolls 60, which separate against the action of their springs 61. The direction of their rotation is such that they tend to draw the shoe in between them, pro

ducing a translatory movement of the work 34. Until the longitudinal axis of the sho bottom is in substantial registration with the center-line .ofthe nailingdesignin accord anc w h wh h he d l kp l ng ar a a ged, the ro l a .Q d Of th k will, by the r f i ti n l gage nt with it apply a greater turning eflect about the pin 64 than do the opposite rolls. This will cause the rotation of the work about an axis which extends longitudinally of the jack and substantially perpendicular to the heel-seat of the shoe and to the tread-surface of the heel to be attached, such rotation ceasing when the pairs of rolls 60 and 34 engage the points of symmetry. Then the turning forces are equal and opposite, and the shoe is maintained by the rolls against the back stop in the corv rectangular relation, saidrolls now slipping upon its surface.

There may be-associated with the die-block means for positioning a heel H with reference to the points of insertion of the nails and to the shoe S, which has been independently located, as just described. This heel-positioning means B generaly resembles the mechanism A, and acts by virtue of the pressure of like pairs of symmetrical points at opposite sides of the central axis perpendicular to the breast-line. There is a pair of rear rolls 100 upon their levers 102, 102 and forward rolls 104i, 104 upon levers 106, 106. Springs 108 and 110 urge the rolls of the respective pairs toward each other, gear-segments 112 and 11 1, respectively, compelling them to move together. The rolls of this mechanism may be toothed for better engagement with the heel, the teeth of the rolls 100 being also utilized to drive these. Power is transmitted from the shaft 30 through a pinion 116 elongated to allow the rise and fall of the die-block 14, the mounting of which carries the fulcra of the levers 102 and 106. Gearing 118 and 120, rotated by this pinion, turn the respective pairs of rolls 100 and 104, the peripheral speed of the rolls of each pair being the same.

The manner of operation of the mechanism B by forces balanced when applied to pairs of selected points 0, c and (Z, cl (Fig. 3) is identical with that of the associated mechanism A. The operator places a heel H, which is to be nailed, with its tread-surface upon the die-block 11, and thrusts this heel between the rolls 104. These move it bodily inward into engagement with the rolls 100, the pairs of rolls then co-operating to complete the locating of the heel against an adjustable back stop 122 situated between the rolls 100. They also position said heel angularly, with its longitudinal axis, or that from center of the rear perpendicular to the breast, in registration with a like axis of the nailing design, as represented by the clieblock-openings, and with the position which the longitudinal axis of the bottom of the jacked shoe is to assume. This shoe having been located by the mechanism A, as has already been outlined, the operator starts the machine, causing the die-block to rise and apply clamping pressure to the work. This is followed bythe rise of the drivers, bearing 'action of the positioning mechanisms A and B upon the shoe and heel, respectively, will seat of the shoe, and clinched upon the lastplate. The pressure upon the work is relieved by the descent of the die-block, and the operator may swing out the jack and remove the heeled shoe. This, because of the have said heel so placed that the breast-line is accurately at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the shoe-bottom, and the nailing will be symmetrically disposed with respect to such axis.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a shoe machine, the combination with 8 operating mechanism, of a movable member for engagement with a shoe-portion, and automatic means for moving the member, said member in its movement being arrangedv to turn the shoe-portion about an axis passing through it into a predetermined angular relation to the operating mechanism and to maintain said shoe-portion fixed in such anoperating mechanism, of movable members for engagement with opposite sides of a shoeportion, and means actuated by the machine for continuously moving the members in opposite directions, said members in their movement being arranged to position the shoeportion for the operation upon it.

4. In a shoe machine, the combination with operating mechanism, of movable members for engagement with opposite sides of a shoeportion, connections between the members arranged to compel them to move together, and means actuated by the machine for continuously moving the members in opposite directions, said members in their movement being arranged to position the shoe-portion forthe operation upon it.

5. In a shoe machine, a support on which a shoe-portion is free to turn, and a rotatable member for engagement with a supported portion, said member being arranged in its rotation to move the portion on the support to a predetermined position and thereafter turn in contact with said portion.

6. In a shoe machine, a support for a' shoeportion, and opposite rotatable members each arranged toturn in one direction only and gen produce by their rotation equal and opposite angular positioning. effects upon 21. Sup ported portion.

7. In a shoe machine, fastening-inserting mechanism, positioning members arranged for engagement with opposite sides of a shoeportion, and means for rotating the members simultaneously and continuously in opposite directions to position the shoe-portion with respect to the fastening-inserting design.

8. In a shoe machine, positioning members arranged for engagement with opposite sides of a shoe-portion and being connected to yield from each other, connections between the members arranged to compel them to yield together, and means for rotating the members simultaneously in opposite directions during their yielding movement,

9. In a shoe machine, a support arranged to hold a shoe-portion for angular movement, positioning members arranged for engagement with opposite sides oi said shoeportion, and means for rotating the members during their engagement with the shoe-portion simultaneously in opposite directions and at the same peripheral speed. i

10. In a shoe machine, a plurality of positioning members situated at each side of a shoe-portion, said members being movable independently of one another" toward and from the shoe-portion, and means for rotating in opposite directions the members at opposite sides of the shoe-portion.

11; In a shoe machine, a. positioning roll arranged for engagement with the curved periphery of a shoe-portion, means fOr rotating the roll in contact with the shoe-portion, and a stop into engagement with which the work is advanced by the positioning roll.

12. In a shoe machine, a support arranged to hold a shoe-portion for angular movement, positioning rolls for engagement with the curved periphery of said shoe-portion at opposite sides, and means for rotating the rolls in opposite directions in contact with the shoe-portion.

13. In a shoe machine, a support for a shoe-portion, a plurality of positioning rolls for en agement with each of the opposite sides of a supported portion, certain of the rolls being located in proximity to the rear of the heel-end of the portion and other rolls being in advance of these, and means for rotating in the same direction the rolls at the same side and in opposite directions those at opposite sides of the support.

14; In a shoe machine, a support arranged to hold a shoe-portion. for angular movement, positioning rolls forengagement with opposite sides oi said shoe-portion,-means for rotating the rolls in opposite directions in contact with the shoe-portion, and a. stop against which said shoe-portion is'carried and turned by the rolls.

15. In a shoe machine, a support for a the support, a positioning roll rotatable upon.

the lever in a plane substantially parallelto that in which said lever moves and ar-- ranged for contact with a supported portion, and means for rotating the roll.

16. In a shoe machine, a support for a shoe-portion, a lever tulcrumed adjacentto the support, a positioning roll rotatable upon the lever in a plane substantially parallel to that in which said lever moves and arranged for contact with a supported por-- rolls in-opposite directions at the same pe ripheral speeds, gearing connecting the levers and means for forcing the opposite levers to.

ward each other. r

19. In a. shoe machine, a suppprt for a shoe-portion, a plurality of levers fulcrumed at each of opposite sides of the support, means for connecting in pairs levers at opposite sides of the support, and a shoe-portion positioning roll rotatable uponeach lever, the rolls upon the levers at the same side of the shoe being arranged to contact at different points longitudinally thereof.

20. In a shoe machine, a support for {a shoe-portion, a plurality of levers fulcrumed at each of opposite sides of the support,

shoe-portion, a lever fulcrumed adjacent to,

means for connecting in pairs levers at ops posite sides of the support, a shoe-portionpos'itioning roll rotatable upon each lever, means for forcing the levers of the connected pairs toward each other, and means for r0- tating the rolls of such pairs of levers at thesame peripheral speed. I 21. The combination with mechanism to operating upon an associated heel and shoe, of automatic means for turning said heeland shoe'about an axis substantially perpendicus lar to the tread-surface of the heel into a:

definite relation with the operating mechanism and to maintain the associated heel and shoe in such definite relation during the operation uponthem of said operating mech an-ism..

22. The combination with mechanism for operating upon an associated heel and shoe, of rotatable driven positioning means constructed and arranged to exert balanced turninc forces upon the work. r

23. The combination with mechanism for operating upon an associated heel. and shoe,

of automatic means for moving the heeland shoe toward the operating mechanism and for turning said heel and shoe about an axle substantially perpendicular to the threadsurface of the heel into a definite relation with the operating mechanism and to maintain thera-ssociated heel and shoe in such definite relation during. the operation upon them of said operating mechanism. 10

24. The combination with mechanism for operating upon an associated heel and shoe, of automatic means for turning said heel and shoe about an axis substantially perpendicular totread-surface of the heel into a definite relation with the operating mechanism, and stops for limiting the movement of both the heel and shoe.

'25. The combination with mechanism for operating upon an associated heel and shoe, of rotatable positioning rolls for frictional engagement with opposite sides of the work, and means for rotating the rolls.

26. The combination with a die-block provided with openings, of drivers reciprocating in the openings, heel-engaging members rotatable at opposite sides of the driver-openings, and means for rotating said members in opposite directions.

27. The combination with a jack mounted to carry a shoe into and out of operating position, of work-engaging membersrotatable at opposite sides of the path of movement of the jack, and means for rotating said members in opposite directions.

28. In a heel-attaching machine, nailing mechanism, a jack movable into and out of nailing position, and automatically movable work-positioning members co-operting with both the nailing mechanism and jack.

29. In a heel-attaching machine, nailing mechanism, a jack movable into and out of nail ng position, means operable by the machine for turning a shoe about the longitudinal axis of the jack, and means for imparting a similar movement to a heel associated with the nailing mechanism.

30. In a heel-attaching machine, nailing mechanism, a jack movableinto and out of nailing position, rolls arranged for engagement with a shoe-upper and between which the jack may move, rolls situated at opposite sides of the nailing mechanism, and means for rotating the opposite rolls of both the nailing mechanism and jack in opposite directions.

31. In a shoe machine, operating mechanism, a movable jack co-operating with the operating mechanism, work-positioning means associated with the operating mechanism, means for locking the jack to receive the action of the operating mechanism, and means for releasing the locking means to permitthe positioning mechanism to act.

32. In a shoe machine, operating mechanism, a movable jack co-operating with the operating mechanism, work-positioning means associated with the operating mechanism, means for locking the jack to receive theaction of the operating mechanism, and means for releasing the locking means as the jack approaches the operating mechanism and for allowing the lock to again become elfective when the jacked work is in operating position.

33. In a shoe machine, operating mechanism, automatic means for moving work 1nto operating position and laterally of the operating mechanism, a jack for the work, and pivotal connections for the jack arranged to allow both of said movements of the work.

34. In a shoe machine, pressure mecha nism, automatic means for positioning work with respect to the pressure mechanism, a jack movable under the influence of the positioning means, a lock for the jack, and means for releasing the jack from the look at a predetermined position of said jack.

35. In a shoe machine, operating mechanism including pressure means, automatic means'for moving work into operating position and laterally of the operating mechanism, a jack, a mounting for the jack allowing its movement under the influence of the positioning means, said jack being also movablethrough the mounting, means for locking the jack against movement upon the mounting, and means for releasing the locking means.

36. In a heel-attaching machine, heelpositioning mechanism, a jack co-operating therewith, a pivotal mounting in which the jack is arranged to slide, and a lock for the jack carried by the mounting. 7

37 The method of positioning a shoeportion, which consists in locating upon said portion points symmetrical with respect to an axis ofthe portion, and applying to the portion opposite and substantially equal forces tending to turn the portion until they act at the selected points.

38. The method of positioning a shoe-portion, which consists in locating upon said portion points symmetrical with respect to an axis of the portion, and applying to the portion opposite and substantially equal forces exerting their effect to turn the shoeportion to change its angle to the axis until the selected points coincide with the points of application of the forces.

39. The method of positioning a shoe-portion, which consists in locating upon said portion points symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shoe-bottom, and applying to the portion opposite and substantially equal turning forces spaced to correspond tothe selected points.

40. The method of positioning shoe-uppers and heels for their attachment, which consists in applying to both an upper and a heel opposite turning forces which balance in predetermined positions of the parts to be positioned.

41. The method of positioning a shoe-portion, which consists in locating upon said portion pairs of points symmetrical With respect to and spaced along the longitudinal axis of the shoe-bottom, and applying to the portion turning forces in pairs spaced to correspond to the selected points.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

RALPH O. SIMMONS. 

